Sensory Tub Organization

     I have been asked a couple of times how I organize our sensory tub material, so I thought I would share how we organize our material. When I decided to start using sensory tubs I knew the material could get out of control quickly and I needed a way to organize it. I finally came up with a solution that makes switching the tubs REALLY easy.

     This is our sensory tub shelf, it’s one shelf in a cabinet that has doors (to keep Bean out). I have 12 different bags of medium material that are in Ziploc baggies (we don’t have quality generics locally, so I just buy Ziploc) with the month written in marker. The current month is folded up and sits next to all the others.

                                          

    In the white dish pan is our items that go into the sensory tub. Item are grouped and placed into baggies and also labeled.

     Then sitting on top in a large baggie are all of our “utensils” that go into the bin. I put spoons, ladles, tongs, chopsticks, cups, and pitchers into that bag to store on top of the dishpan.

                                           

     Now when I run across something that will work for one of our tubs, all I have to do is put it in a bag. It stays somewhat organized, and is contained to one shelf. When I switch out tubs I have bags for everything, I put the medium back in it’s bag, zip and put away, sort out all the items and reload the new tub. I was definitely intimidated by making the tubs at first but they really are EASY, the kids LOVE them, and even Bean follows the “rules” so I can get a little work done. It truly has been amazing seeing all that has come from that simple container of items to explore. I hope that helps give you an idea of how to organize the material.

Thanks,

Len

Our week

     This week has been more productive than I expected (and previous weeks). I think (hope) we are settling into a new routine. I’m finally “done” with the school room, the layout seems to flow now. I had the floor layout very open before and the kids seemed to think it was a rumpus room instead of a school room, I couldn’t get them to focus, so we now have a small shelf dividing the room. I revamped our old dinning table, painted it and shortened the legs, I’m now in LOVE with it (I HATED it before), it works perfect for us and all it cost was a few cans of spray paint and a couple days of work.

 

   

     Boo has been a cooking fool this week. He has cooked dinner once (with out any help, just supervision), cupcakes once, and a cake once. He has always enjoyed cooking and I am more than happy to take “school” into the kitchen so he can see first hand why reading and math are so important.

    

     He has been making great steps with wanting to do his reading work, which says a lot.

     He also decided that he needed a lesson in how to iron clothes.

                            

     There was lots of art this week (some still in our PJs).

  

     Bean started her own water transfer activity in the kitchen sink and rather than tell her no I decided to humor her a little and set up an activity for her, it kept her busy for almost an hour. She has been working with same/different and she now has a daily chore to help reinforce the concept, putting the silverware away. We have a divided tray, I lay one utensil in each slot, make sure there are no knifes in the basket and let her sort the silverware, she loves being helpful.

                                       

  

     I have been working on putting together several different types of Montessori material for the kids. I was able to finish our movable alphabet. The sandpaper letters are almost complete and several are already on the shelf and in use.

 

     I was cutting out our pink scheme material and Sis decided she had to snatch some of the cards to read, she was able to sound out all the words and I was very impressed. I am so amazed that two siblings can have such different reading experiences, Boo struggles and has to spend so much time “learning” and practicing his reading, and Sis who spends almost no time “learning” and just absorbs everything, reading just seem natural to her.

     I hope everyone has a great weekend. I get to spend the weekend with my best friend, who lives four hours away. She and her girls are coming to get the grand house tour, so my weekend should be great.

Thanks,

Len

January Sensory Tub

     I got our January sensory tub all put together the first part of last week and thought I would share.
                                  

     The medium for this month is cotton balls and silver glitter, aka “snow”. There are the two Christmas tree branches, a ribbon, green garland and tinsel from Decembers bin, “buttons” from our snowman kit (those little black round things), several “winter” animals (a penguin, an elk, a mountain lion, a bobcat, deer, and a bear). I put chopsticks with a chopstick helper on them so the kids could use them like tongs, there is a small pair of garnish tongs, and a small ladle for them to scoop with.
 
   The kids have been enjoying the change in the medium. They decided they would try and make a “snow man”, I had to laugh a little because he looks a little sad but they tried.
   
     
    Bean was having a blast making “snow” mountains. Sis was very adamant that she needed to put the cotton balls onto the black buttons, I’m still not completely sure why but she was very entertained by it.
Thanks,
Len